Sunday, January 13, 2008

the acting bug


A couple of weeks ago Surfer Dude's class put on a play about the Jamestown settlement as part of a history lesson. Somehow he and one of his best friends ended up with two of the larger parts, and we were on pins and needles leading up to the performance. We ran through lines until he had them down cold. He emoted from one room of the house to the next. Then in front of a school day audience of parents and lower grade children, their class brought Jamestown to life. Beautifully.


And he's had the acting bug ever since. Like there isn't enough drama in this house already.


His friend may have even been bitten harder, although that's difficult to imagine. The friend's dad (who is a good friend) and I tried to steer them into the same drama class that Gumby is going to be taking this spring, but they were too young. But...there is a play being staged in March that was holding open auditions - and they wanted to go. They were casting adults and children, and from the sounds there were not a lot of parts available, but the kids were determined. They would also be casting some extras and understudies. If you survived the first cut call backs would be Sunday. I privately said to the Film Geek that for $40 a kid to be in the play the producers would find as many parts as kids who showed up. I'm cynical that way. I can't help it. (I also made a point of taking Surfer Dude to this thing myself, since the FG and this director have worked together many times and I didn't think that should be a factor in his decision. On the subject of cynical).


So Saturday afternoon we showed up for the auditions. Self esteem not being one of his issues, he was convinced that he had a lead part in the bag. I tried to insert a little reality into his fantasy, as I knew they were expecting a full house of applicants and that he had no real experience besides school stuff. I pointed out that he had several friends trying out and they all wanted the same parts. I told him it was all about the experience and if he didn't get a part it wouldn't be the end of the world. I said to get out there and do the best job he could and not worry about the rest of it. Most of all, I said, have fun.


The theater was full of parents and kids. There were a bunch of people I knew, including a lot of the kids trying out. It was social hour for the adults as their kids went up on the stage. The director ran them through their paces and then broke them into groups. For three hours he had them run through lines in various formations. I was so nervous I had to take the stitches out of the hat I was knitting two times. I should have given myself a pep talk while I was at it.


When it was over the friend's dad and I privately agreed that, though they had done well, they probably didn't have a realistic chance at a part. There were a lot of kids there with experience. And, most importantly, the big audition scene our guys did was with adults who chewed the scenery and spit it out. Our kids could barely get a word in edgewise. But they had had fun and gained some experience, and that was a good enough thing.


Two hours after we got home we got the call back notification for today. So did the friend. As we were dancing around the kitchen singing at the top of our lungs (and dodging butt biting dogs who get all weird when we dance) I didn't really feel cynical about the reasons. The joy on this kid's face was priceless. I'd love to think it was because he knocked their socks off.


But if every single person who showed up gets a part, I can totally handle that.

18 comments:

Madam Crunchypants said...

Oooh! I hope he knocked their socks off! Yay!

Susan said...

Have fun is the most important part. You never know where this will lead...Good luck Surfer Dude!!! (I said all those same things to a little girl once about a lot of people auditioning, etc. and do you remember how that worked out.) We'll want an update on tomorrow's call back!

laurie said...

wow! good luck, little guy!

Pam said...

having fun is what it's all about...doing something you love is the most rewarding even if there are disappointmentss along the way. break a leg, surf (we all know not literally, but that's what you say in showbiz, right?) :)

Anonymous said...

I bet he did knock their socks off! That is so wonderful. Acting has taken this family by storm. I started it when I signed them up about 9 years ago, hoping to improve their self esteem. It did do that, and a whole lot more. They alll love to do shows, and have learned some good skills. Let us know how the call back goes, I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Although, he doesn't sound like he needs much luck, he sounds like he has "got it."
xoxox

ped crossing said...

Wahoo! And it sounds like a good time was had by all.

Good luck on round two.

Akelamalu said...

That's fantastic! Well done to Surfer Dude!

Kim said...

Acting has been really good for my little drama queen. Good luck to your little guy!

Gen said...

Oh how fun! Way to go, Surfer Dude, and break a leg!

aims said...

Good luck wishes all around -

What I liked best was the butt biting dogs who get all weird when you dance....too funny!!

Beth said...

Keep a close eye on the dram-o-meter in your house or you'll be living with Sir Laurence Olivier and his attendant ego. But I'm so happy he has found this and is excited about it. This stuff must be genetic. Which means Gumby will be in medical school with its attendant costs. Keep a close eye on your doctor-o-meter too. Good luck Surfer Dood!

Anonymous said...

He's got you to support him and encourage him all the way and that should be enough to get him to Hollywood.

Crystal xx

MarmiteToasty said...

The last play I was in, I was 9 and was dressed as a red indian with a doll in a cereal box strapped on me back (the only reason I was a red indian was cos I was the only one in our school that owned a brown doll), as I did a war dance on stage around a fake fire, I bent forward and the doll shot out the cereal box and flew across the stage and landed at the feet of the music teacher who was playing the piano LOL...... there endith me hopes to be on the stage.....

Have fun..

x

Rose said...

Congrats!! Keep us posted as the play progresses!

Irene said...

Congratulations and good luck. I hope this all works out very well and that you will soon have a legitimate actor in the family. I can't think of a better way to build up his self esteem than to stand on a stage and deliver his lines convincingly to a large audience.

Stacie said...

Congrats for the call back, Surfer Dude! I hope he knocked 'em dead today!

Diana said...

Oh yeah! Baby! Don't you just love it when the kids succeed? I'm always ready for the failure with supportive words and all but the successes? How very sweet!!

Jo Beaufoix said...

Well done Surfer Dude, and the image of the boingy dogs made me laugh. My old dog Jazz used to go a little crazy if we danced too. It was so funny.